Globally, skin bleaching has become an entrenched practice in our various societies despite its serious repercussions on the human health and image.
This practice has become very common to the extent that, arguments such as we are predisposed as primates to accept the superiority of light skin as being beautiful, smart and adorable over dark skin cannot be easily refuted.
How can the above be easily disproved when a child as little as 3 years confidently pointed out that, a light skin painting was beautiful and smart whiles the dark skin was ugly and somehow unintelligent? (Watch the video here)
Even though skin bleaching has serious health problems, I am extremely worried about the image issues and the fact that it a great machinery being used to reinforce the unfounded assumption that light skin is supreme, smart, beautiful, desirable and culturally appreciated.
It is sickening to look around and find out that some of the very few people that our young ones look up to in our fast booming Ghanaian Entertainment Industry have been swayed into the diabolical enterprise of skin bleaching/lightening.
As far back as 2002, a survey indicated that skin bleaching was at the peak of about 75% in Ghana and Nigeria and the worst of it all is that, education in these two countries was at its lowest.
I will pardon the huge illiterate population who by virtue of their non-educational standing get sway into bleaching their skins but I dare attempt to even see a little sense and justification from the side of the very well educated and ‘intelligent’ individuals practising this in our societies.
Various unconfirmed rumours have it that, even the pop icon Beyonce has resulted to skin lighting to enhance her entertainment image and to somehow appeal to her large global white fan base. Though not a justification of any sort, she can attempt to argue that she wants to appeal to her other (white/light skin) fan base.
What will be the groundless justification our Ghanaian entertainment icons bleaching their skins even attempt to give?
From those who started with dark skin to those who were ‘blessed’ with a bit of light skin, what they modishly call skin toning or skin refreshment has over the years gradually made them fair and fairer.
I do not want to cause fuss with this write-up and as such I will not mention names of the various Ghanaian celebrities who in their attempt to add beauty to their image and personality have profoundly changed in complexion. The change has always been from a dark to a light complexion though…
It is dangerous when the doctrine of light skin supremacy grounded on skin bleaching is being championed in a community; it becomes even suicidal when ‘majority’ of the faces the younger generation see on our screens and adore are the foremost players.
I have not forgotten that we have several quarter/mixed race entertainers in Ghana, but check beneath the table and you will be distressed by the skin toning and lightening creams that even some of these people with light skin traces use.
What happened to black is beautiful? Even in our black communities, the beauty of the dark is under undeserving threat of extinction…It is sad but it is a fact! Remember True beauty comes from within…
CHRIS-VINCENT Writes!
READ ALSO: Refused A UK Visa? CLICK HERE FOR HELP
Dying To Be Light: Skin Bleaching, An Undeserving Practice Gaining Strong Roots In The Ghanaian Entertainment Industry….
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True talk Chris. The pride you carry out as dark woman dies off when you see those dark african woman who by some effort gets to the top changing their colour to light.
The creams and pills used to lighting ones skin is very toxic and yet they do not even care about. If you turn your tv on in Ghana, it is as if the majority of people in the entertainment industry are all light skinned or mixed race. bleaching kills as smoking does so people must learn to appreciate their dark complexion
@BeautiBee, Well said.
the funny thing is almost all the actress including the fair ones like Nadia Buari are using skin lightening creams and call it skin toning. We all saw people like Nadia Buari, yvonne nelson and others when they started. Nadia Buari is getting more whiter each day kind courtesy of what they call skin toning but i call it SKIN BLEACHING.
people like yvonne nelson, yvonne okoro, majid michel, van vicker and all of them are lightening up and we all can see it. all the entertainment presenters on tv will be mixed race or some skin bleached dogs in less than 5 years to come in Ghana.
we have a long way to go if that is the direction we want to take our entertainment industry. have you guys wondered why most of these so called stars can’t find a man to marry? who wants to marry a bleaching woman? imagine how she will be when she is 55?
@TiffanyBabe, I don’t think Van Vicker is bleaching himslef or lightening up like you are saying. Van’s ass is alot lighter that the rest of his body that is why his boxies are always high.This can be noticed from this movie “The one for me” the scene when he is arguing with Uche and he is getting out from the bed.
@dede, am the same skincolor as nadia buari and people ask me if am half hispanic or mix. i have the same features as nadia. i have the same nose and almond shape eyes as nadia
@TiffanyBabe,GOD!!! what has Nadia got to do with all this? Please stop it. Nadia has always from the moment i saw her in 2007, she has ALWAYS BEEN LIGHT SKINNED AND has stayed the same till now. Why are people always hating and criticizing her for who she is. The girl is BI RACIAL if you dont know. How come all her family is brown skinned and she is Light skinned? People will say she bleaches but no she has a different mum or father…. Duuuuuh??? Seriously?? Even Chris who hates Nadia’s guts didnt put her picture on this post cus he knows the facts. So he puts the two Yvonnes on it…
@anotheranony,So if her whole family is brown and she is lighter, shouldn’t that tell you something like she is toning her skin. Sorry,but are you that dump?
@anotheranony, Actually Nadia has confirmed many times that she is not mixed raced. Her mother is light and father is brown skinned
@TiffanyBabe, Your observation is 100% correct. Well said.
what are you scared of? yvonne nelson is the number bleacher, just put her photo there alone because we all know
We also need to think the fact, if Ghana entertainment industry want they can focus more on dark-skin beauties to change this, however, not. So why will little girls who want to make it in the industry not bleach their skin?!?
if it was not Nadia, Nikki and other mix-race in Ghana I didn’t know that mix-race also bleach!!!!
@Amoah, so you’ve never heard or seen a mix-raced person bleaching before? Trust me they do, look it up on the internet. Even asians bleach, bleaching in the asian community is rife! asians have a similar skin tone to lightskin or mix-raced people but they still want to be whiter. So don’t be surprised, light skin black people bleach too. The question is WHY?
@turbs, Yes why? because the most peopel in Ghana are dark so these mix-races they are already light which is what most of the dark-skin’s are trying to achieve so I don’t get why Nadia and them lot bleach! I’ll guess we’ll have to take this up with Ghana’s very own Michael Jackson… LOL
@Amoah, LOL
@Amoah,SO if i say Jackie bleaches, you will chew me alive rite? But you can say that Nadia is light skinned cus she bleaches/? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? Biracial people FYI are mostly light skinned. This post is talking about the Yvonnes dont see? are fucking blind?. Everything people want to make it about Nadia WHY?? IS IT HER FAULT SHE WAS BORN LIGHT SKINNED? IF SOMEONE IS LIGTH SKINNED THEN THE PERSON BLEACHES? HOW IGNORANT!!
@anotheranony, hun… you can say what ever you want about Jackie, I’m not that of a great fan of her!!! So for this, hun, I’ll NOT chew you alive! 🙂
@Amoah, nadia is black. she said she isnt mixed in an interview. i was shock to. her mum is ghanian and her dad is ghanian. how is it that she gets whiter each day in her movies and her hole family is very dark. she said she is lightskin because,of her mom is lightskin. how come she didnt say she was mix. first she said cause of her mom then she said she is just naturally lightskin. her dad is very darkskin. she has picture of her when she was younger on her personal facebook page. she was darker wen she was little. and u could see her face and arm white and her body dark&getting lighter PS!am
the same skincolor as nadia buari and people ask me if am half hispanic or mix. i have the same features as nadia i, have the same nose and almond shape eyes as nadia
Stupid post. If u scared to mention names y write dis silly article. Wabodam u stupid Paa get a life
Whatever the case, I’m not in the least way intimidated by any other skin color. Most of the light skinned / mixed race people appear more attractive because of their color. But hey, I’m proud to be BLACK, I know I’m beautiful. I don’t need you to tell me that, but in case you wanted to telll me. Thank you…..
@naa asheley, Black is beautiful. Say it loud. And please, keep it up!!!
LMAO…why didn’t you put up van vicker and nadia buari’s pictures in place of that one you picked?and yes,i know alot of mixed race people in ghana,both guys and girls,and they all bleach but do it under the table.the sad part is that most ghanaians do not know that because they think mixed people are supposed to be that light already since they are mixed race.their natural complexion is actually yellow or tan.but now they’re looking like white people lol.bleaching is toxic and will kill their kidneys slowly.they’re all trying to look beautiful and live short lives in the process.
@maame, Great talk.
yvonne nelson is bleaching when she started she wasnt too dark she was chocolate and now she is quite lighter skinned and nadia buari bleach 2 . am sick of these lightskinned people rulling ghana entertainment industry almost all the actors are lightskinned its 2 much aba
@merel, Great talk.
Black is beautiful its sad that a lot of young boys/ladies these days are destroying their skin with bleaching creams. Be happy with what the creator gave you
@Miyagi, supported.
@Miyagi, U know, they might not regret today, but someday they will look into the mirror and ask themselves “What was I thinking?”And thats when it will too late to go back to what the creator gave them.Its rather unfortunate, but lots of young people and even older ones do things to please themselves, and forget to think about its consequences tomorrow.
Because they have low self esteem, people who are confident and comfortable in their own skin don’t try to change what they r born with…..n it’s sad that people actually look up to these people…..I am black (well chocolate, lol) n beautiful n I will never change that for anything or anyone, take me as I am, I see so many of the people I grew up with bleached n it makes me ep sad
@G, Great comment.
Hey! I am a Nigerian, you just come to Nigeria and you’d see bleaching! I think people just have the notion especially ladies that being fair makes you more attractive and beautiful and that’s coz they watch too many movies and want to be like one white celebrity or the other. Well, personall, I think the chocolate colour is really rich because it can be toned to a richer look. You can tone to have a rich creamy caramel look and it would be natural. Becareful of the kind of toners you use though. I love the chocolately colour and for those bleaching, sorry to burst your bubble but as you age you would have tjat dirty black-burnt look you’ve always been avoiding.
Beauty comes from within!
@Lowla Dee, is that right? You look real chocolate.
Hey! I am a Nigerian, you just come to Nigeria and you’d see bleaching! I think people just have the notion especially ladies that being fair makes you more attractive and beautiful and that’s coz they watch too many movies and want to be like one white celebrity or the other. Well, personall, I think the chocolate colour is really rich because it can be toned to a richer look. You can tone to have a rich creamy caramel look and it would be natural. Becareful of the kind of toners you use though. I love the chocolately colour and for those bleaching, sorry to burst your bubble but as you age you would have tjat dirty black-burnt look you’ve always been avoiding.
Beauty comes from within!
@Lowla Dee, Good to know.
@Lowla Dee, you are right.
@Lowla Dee, u are very studid for that comment and God will punish u, dont u ever put Nigerians and ghanian in the same light we are not mate ugly
all the mixed race ghanianas are from eastern Europeans men when they came to ghana all the women slept with them that is why u see them, if i am wrong ask all of them where their fathers are if they can answer the question. and yes they bleach too, u fools and i just want them out of Nollywood movie they dont know how to act, bunch of idiots we made u all learn to appreciates
sometimes i just wonder..about the stupid comments some of u write damn!!! why wud majid, van, nadia bleach? well whatever anyone does with his or her skin is none of anyone’s damn business! what will even make someone think majid and van will hv the time to bleach. and for nadia she’s always been light skinned. you can always differentiate bt ppl who bleach and those with their natural color. it’s all aba using the right products.
@queenie, Yea, I agree it couldnt be no ones business but remember so far as u live in a society u either influence in a good or bad way.Whatever u do, affects someone which u might not know.
@queenie, well type in nadia buari younger pictures. u will see a picture of her she was not whitskin. also on her personal facebook she upload a picture of her wen she was younger she was darker and not whiteskin. she said she is lightskin cause,her mom is lightskin then she said she is just naturally lightskin. her mom is darker than her& her mom is not whiteskin like her. her whole family is so dark. she said in an interview she is not mixed at all,she is full ghananian from lagos,ghana.
am the same skincolor as nadia buari and people ask me if am half hispanic or mix. i have the same features as nadia. i have the same nose and almond shape eyes as nadi
I pray that someday, some sensible celebrity would come out and realize how Black is beautiful.Not only that, but would change that perception of black being rated as ugly.And I believe that day would surely come in Jesus name.Movie producers,tv producers, music industries and all the entertainment industry can actually change that fact too.And to you the Men, you are also another “wahala”.Its about time you Start appreciating Dark skin women and drool when u see them, and that will make them maintain their real color, And To the women, Men wouldn’t just fall for u because of ur false skin color oooooton.When u pose urself as a fake woman, U will def. get a fake man.
i remember when I was in high school, a male class mate looked at me and said you are so black. why are you so black? and yet he was also black. i really thank God because whenever i look at myself in the mirror I realise i am more beautiful than I thought.
@akua,
@akua, well u should of said,why are u so black. and he probably would have gotten quiet. that would of shut his ignorant self up.
am the same skincolor as nadia buari and people ask me if am half hispanic or mix. i have the same features as nadia. i have the same nose and almond shape eyes as nadia. its so annoying.
I am a victim any help?
i want to Bleach my skin,its a disgrace to be Very Black,i am a prostitute and can only get men with a lighter Skin…who knows any quality BLEACHING products eg.the one Yvonne Nelson used to Bleach her Body
i want to Bleach my skin,its a disgrace to be Very Black,i am a prostitute and can only get men with a lighter Skin…who knows any quality BLEACHING products eg.the one Yvonne Nelson used to Bleach her Body.
@nadia,buari,
A lot of this boils down to an identity issue with these individuals. It happens all over the world amongst all minority groups
It’s a shame because Black is “Beautiful” there is no mistaking it.
Media portrays dark skinned women as ugly and promotes fair skinned/ mixed race women as beautiful. No a true reflection of where beauty truly is.
Everything associated with Black is negative and people that bleach their skin add to this
Think before you Bleach!!!!!
hey. i thot nadia had a dif dad bt was adoptd by buari. cmon yall cnt u id a bleachn fair gal wen u c one?.her dads a whyte. go ask her mum who d real dad is
@ThickMama,
well type in nadia buari younger pictures. u will see a picture of her she was not whitskin. also on her personal facebook she upload a picture of her wen she was younger she was darker and not whiteskin. she said she is lightskin cause,her mom is lightskin then she said she is just naturally lightskin. her mom is darker than her& her mom is not whiteskin like her. her whole family is so dark. she said in an interview she is not mixed at all,she is full ghananian from lagos,ghana.
am the same skincolor as nadia buari. people ask me if am half hispanic or mix. i have the same features as nadia. i have the same nose and almond shape eyes as nadia.
Hello,
@Fred or @Chris_Agyapong (I’m not sure who is in charge of responding to posts) I am actually doing a research project on this very subject! This is such a great article! It seems like now a days people only refer to it as ‘toning’ when really they are the same thing! Can you point me to the 2002 survey you referenced? (The link doesn’t give the actual reference) Any help you can provide would be great!
P.S. If you have time can you send me your email address? I have just a few short questions. Thanks!
Jennifer, glad you find my piece somehow helpful, drop me a mail via [email protected] , all the best!
People wit bleached skin are just being ungrateful 2 God. It’s a shameful act.
It’s nt much of a problem if u re light skin n u become more lighter but where u re dark or chocolate n u bleach t become light skinned it’s ridiculous Yvonne nelson is now white as wellas d other Yvonne okoro she used t ve such beautiful complexion but …… It shd change esp if they ve nt noticed
@Mildred, Why is it not a problem when a lighter skinned person bleaches their skin? Aren’t the health concerns the same?
Source: http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2012/01/12/dying-to-be-light-skin-bleaching-an-undeserving-practice-gaining-strong-roots-in-the-ghanaian-entertainment-industry#ixzz1tizjW5kL
@Mildred,Well it’s cos u don’t need much agent t become more lighter if u re already light but it takes much agent which makes it more dangerous
@Mildred, ok i c your point. But wouldn’t you say that both yvonnes are just toning their skin not bleaching it? They aren’t trying to become white but just a bring out their skin tone a little?
@Mildred, yes it is a problem thats like white people tanning. they were born lighter and then they get tans. that’s like saying its ok for white people to tan to get darker but,its a problem for black people to bleach to get lighter. dats f…uped. white people be happy being white and black people live life lol.
Why is it not a problem when a lighter skinned person bleaches their skin? Aren’t the health concerns the same?
As 4 me i would say everything has a repercution. They can bleach how ever dey like but wen dey get older, dey would see d result. They re actually teln God dat he didn’t create dem well in his own image(dey want 2 correct God as in the mistake he made). It is very bad 2 bleach ur skin healthwise but it’s not bad 2 even ur skin wit an eventoning cream for dose with brighter legs and darker hands and face. Bleaching kills. Though i’m a light skinned person, i appreciate darkskinned people because they have the best skin so far